CENTRAL District premiership player Caitlin Wendland became an AFL Women’s player yesterday when Brisbane Lions announced they had signed the 20-year-old South Australian. One of three triplets at the Bulldogs, Wendland showed promising signs last year as an eye-catching left-footer in her debut season, before having a breakout season in 2023.

Wendland is a 162cm midfielder/forward, who started her SANFL Women’s career as a forward, become largely becoming a full-time midfielder in 2023. Still able to hit the scoreboard with five majors in the 2023 season, what stands out about Wendland is her balance of offensive and defensive traits.

Boasting a deadly left foot, she can pinpoint passes with precision, and has been working on other elements of her game such as her decision making. Defensively, Wendland is as strong as they come, averaging 8.3 tackles from 15.1 disposals in the 2023 SANFL Women’s season. She also averaged 2.6 marks, 4.1 clearances and 3.0 inside 50s for the Bulldogs.

In the SANFL Women’s Grand Final, Wendland only had the nine touches, but laid 21 tackles – not a typo – in what was an obscene amount of pressure. Across the three finals, she averaged 16.3 tackles, with a minimum of seven tackles per game in her last six matches this season.

Expect her to fill a role as a pressure forward, but being able to also hit the scoreboard herself which is the crucial aspect to any forward. When in the midfield, Wendland knows her way around clearances and can do a lot of damage at the stoppages too.

Brisbane Lions coach Craig Starcevich said he was looking forward to Wendland – who has recently played three games for Southport in the QAFL Women’s – joining the Den.

“We are excited to add Caitlin Wendland to our group,” he said. “She is a clean left footer but the bit that we really liked was the balance between offence and defence.

“It’s been whirlwind journey for her but we are excited to welcome her with open arms. “We can’t wait to see her get to work and see what she can bring to our group.”

Wendland was previously set to be a train-on player for Port Adelaide, but made the switch to the Sunshine State to play for Southport, where she impressed the Lions enough for them to commit to her for Season 8.

A former cricketer, Wendland spoke to Rookie Me Central in the preseason about her role and what she hoped to achieve. In describing herself, Wendland said she loved the hardness of the contest.

“I’d say I’d like to get in there and get the ball, try and get the ball out to my teammates. I love going in hard,” Wendland said. “I love being on-ball, getting in the midfield, also playing up forward and kicking a few goals as well, that’s quite nice.”

>> Wendland switches bat for ball

In terms of her goals, she hoped the Bulldogs – who had previously never made finals – would reach the post-season series, and she would improve as a player.

“For Centrals, hopefully try and get into finals this season would be nice, because we’ve been so close but haven’t quite got there,” Wendland said. “For me just try and be consistent and have a good season. Just be the best player I can be for the team.”

Considering the Bulldogs won the SANFL Women’s premiership and she is now on an AFL Women’s list, it is fair to say she ticked off those goals.